Cafe and shop fridge and coolroom repair
Fix display fridges, freezers and coolrooms for cafes, pubs and shops that can't afford downtime.
- A$8k-35k
- Full-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A mobile service focused on commercial fridges, bar fridges, display cabinets and small coolrooms. Faults mean lost stock, so businesses want quick, reliable fixes and regular servicing.
Your first three steps
- Check the refrigeration training and licensing needed in your state, including the ARC licence, and any trade licence for the work
- Visit local cafes and shops to introduce yourself and ask who currently services their equipment
- Set up a van with gauges, a recovery unit and common parts, and write a simple service agreement for regular clients
Who pays
Cafes, restaurants, pubs, bakeries, convenience stores, butchers and small supermarkets.
How it makes money
Emergency and scheduled call-out fees plus labour and parts, with ongoing service agreements for regular checks.
Skills that help
- Refrigeration fault-finding
- Comfortable with electrical and gas work
- Reliable and quick to respond
- Building relationships with business owners
Watch out for
- Refrigerant handling and commercial refrigeration work generally need licensing, check with the ARC and your state regulator
- Public liability and tools insurance, and workers compensation if you hire
- After-hours emergency calls can disrupt your week, decide your availability up front
- Food businesses depend on cold storage, so mistakes can be costly, consider professional indemnity cover
- Large commercial work may need extra qualifications or larger equipment
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: cafe and shop fridge and coolroom repair
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a commercial fridge repair business?
Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on your vehicle, tools, equipment and insurance. These are estimates only, so price up your own setup and any larger equipment you may need.
How much can a commercial refrigeration repairer earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your client mix, how many regular service contracts you win and your availability. That is revenue, not profit.
What licences and rules should I check?
Check licensing for refrigerant handling and commercial refrigeration work with the ARC and your state regulator. Also look into public liability and tools insurance, workers compensation if you hire, professional indemnity cover, and any extra qualifications for large commercial work.
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